Do it Yourself Refinishing of Wooden Tables

Refinish your furniture instead of replacing it

Breathe new life into your old wooden table with a little TLC. Investing some time and elbow grease goes a long way when it comes to brightening up your tired looking table, not to mention the fact that you can save a lot of cash. So whether you’re looking to restore the richness of your wooden table's wood by staining or want to add a new hue with a little paint, refinishing is one project you can easily tackle.

Things You'll Need

• Stripping compound
• Stripping pads
• Paint brushes
• Sanding sealer
• Wood stain or paint
• Poly-acrylic finish
• Putty knife
• Wood putty
• Rubber gloves
• Safety glasses
• 60 or 80 grit sandpaper
• 150 grit sandpaper
• 220 or 240 grit sandpaper
• Sanding sponge
• Tack cloth
• Hand sander
• Mask
• Drop cloths
• Bench brush
• Awl
• Hammer

Instructions

1. 

   Staining brings out the beauty of the wood's grain

   Place a drop cloth under the table. Strip the existing finish from the table. If it's stained, sand the wood using 60 or 80 grit sandpaper, then 150 grit sandpaper. Brush away the dust with a bench brush and wipe with a tack cloth. If the table has been painted, use stripping compound, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Once the paint is removed, sand with a sanding sponge.

2. 

   Painted tables add flair to any room

   Push any nails below the surface using an awl and hammer. Apply wood putty with your finger or a putty knife.

3. Apply a sanding sealer if you’re staining your wooden table. Mix well and minimize brush strokes as much as possible. Start with smaller areas first and avoid overlapping strokes. Allow to dry according to label instructions, then lightly sand with a fine grit (220 or 240) sandpaper and brush away all dust with the bench brush. Wipe with a tack cloth and apply a second coat. Let dry.

4. Apply stain with a foam brush, if you’re staining the wood. Wipe off the stain after 5 to 15 minutes (check your product’s label) with a clean, lint-free staining cloth. Let dry according to product instructions. If painting, use a brush recommended on the product label to apply a thin coat of paint. Let dry.

5. Apply the second coat of stain or paint, following step 3 and 4. Let dry.

6. Seal the stain or paint with two coats of poly-acrylic finish, letting the poly-acrylic dry in between coats.

Tips & Warnings

• Always brush with the grain of wood when applying stain or paint.

• Apply thin coats of stain or paint.

• If staining, you can save a step by using a stain with polyurethane protection.

• Refinish in the morning because there is less dust in the air.

• Refinish in a well-ventilated area.

• Stripping compounds are volatile, so don’t smoke while using them and keep them away from anything that may spark.

• Always read the product label.

• Always wear eye protection.

• Always wear a mask or respirator when sanding.

• Dispose of paint, staining and stripping products according to label instructions and local waste disposal regulations.

References

• HGTV, “Freshen Up Your Décor by Refinishing Furniture”
• DIY, “How to Refinish Wood Furniture Using a Sanding Sealer”

Resources

• The Family Handyman